First of all, Zoe’s already showing tons of improvement in her crate. I get home, I deal with the cat, I make a phone call, I bring in groceries… and not a peep from her. I walk in the bedroom and nothing. When I step up to her crate she starts wiggling and moaning in anticipation, but I think that’s not so much an attempt at attention-getting, but rather she just can’t hold it in. But I am making her sit before I open the door, and trying to stem the excessive freaking out as I open the door.

And after dinner - well the last two days, I fed the dogs, closed their crates, then sat with my laptop. Previously she’d finish and then start barking and whining incessantly to be let out. And the last two days? She layed down. Silently. Awesome. I quickly jumped up and praised her to high heaven and let her out. I think it’s sinking in. Yay! A faster learner than Zeeke was… (Took him a year to learn. At the very least several MONTHS. Though that was due to his Seperation Anxiety.)

Today late at night (when it’s nice and cool and comfortable out) after I took Zoe for her last potty of the day we went for a very quick, very short jaunt up and down the road. And it’s really amazing to watch her: remember when she was so nervous she’d slink behind me and against my legs? Tail tucked, flinching, not wanting to move? Today she trotted down the street ahead of me, tail high and curled over her back. I’m not kidding! And Zeeke wasn’t even with us. I’m so proud of her. I think she’s slowly expanding the area she feels comfortable in. Unfortunately that’s also led to her wandering off if let off-leash (at least in this area), and yeah, she’s no longer allowed off-leash. Not until she learns her recall much better than it is.

I’m really disappointed though - I got the registration letter for intermediate class, and it starts next weekend while we’re away. So we’re going to have to wait until August or September to start it. I’m really looking forward to it, though. I doubt Zoe is. Hopefully her mind will change somewhere along the way. I really do think her going to class had a big effect on her, and I want to continue that forward motion.